Ever wonder where your application goes after you send it? If so, you’re not alone — we all wonder the same thing.
The truth is, nobody knows for sure.
The one thing we do know is that the application, interview, and hiring process is faster when it begins with the hiring authority than with the human resources department. This is not always possible, but it is ideal.
Here’s why:
HR are gatekeepers
Human resources are often the gatekeepers to an onslaught of resumes, sent from a wide array of potential job candidates.
While extremely capable at their jobs, HR representatives may not always possess first-hand knowledge of an NNPs intrinsic and unique skills.
Remember, HR recruiters are responsible for filling positions throughout the hospital—from surgeons and radiologists to receptionists and facility managers. We can’t possibly expect them to understand all the functions and nuances related to each role. And let’s face it, as an NNP, your skills and experience are extremely niche; very specialized. Not everyone can confidently “talk the NNP talk”.
When speaking with HR, you may find that he or she is not familiar or comfortable with the jargon and acronyms inherent to your area of expertise. Consequently, they may not readily recognize some of your most valuable and keen abilities during the initial screening.
Nevertheless, we often find ourselves talking with an HR recruiter long before we get in front of a hiring manager. That’s what HR folks do: They ferret out the wheat from the chaff and winnow down the number of qualified candidates into a modest and manageable batch for the hiring authority to review.
The hiring authorities are the decision makers
The hiring authority is the person who actually knows the scope of the job, inside and out. In fact, the hiring manager is often the person who will be your direct supervisor or perhaps even your manager’s boss. So, it’s very likely this person has performed many of the functions related to the job and understands the specific demands of the position. When interviewing a candidate, the hiring authority can look beyond the resume to assess and identify in-depth skills and on-the-job experience in a way HR may not.
More importantly, the hiring authority makes the ultimate hiring decision. You may have a great relationship with the human resource department, but the final decision is up to the hiring manager.
You might be thinking, “Hey, I’m going to bypass those human resource folks and go straight to the hiring managers with my resume!”
This move could easily backfire, particularly if you do not personally know the hiring manager or if, by reaching out directly, you are blatantly disregarding the application instructions.
There are only two times when it is appropriate to reach out directly to the hiring authority:
- When the two of you are already acquainted
- When you do not know the hiring manager but know a colleague who does, and who is willing make introductions on your behalf
Meanwhile, you need to keep trying and keep applying:
- Create a killer resume: Make sure it’s chock-full of the “keywords” that will excite HR enough to forward you on to the hiring manager. Same goes for your cover letter.
- Consider your audience: When you are called in to meet with HR, take time to adjust your presentation to fit their role and hiring perspective.
- Continue to network: Attend conferences moonlight at other facilities to expand your network.
- Consider working with a recruitment firm: An experienced and ethical NNP recruiter can present the very best of what you have to offer, with access to decision makers that ordinary applicants simply do not possess. Your dedicated recruiter will take the time to get to know you, your skills, abilities, and goals, and take the burden off you during the hiring process.
So, as a quick re-cap, do be as resourceful as you can be when it comes to submitting your resume. Submitting your application through HR will almost always be a longer more tedious process than getting a direct introduction to a hiring manager, or by working through a recruiter with direct access to the hiring manager. A job search takes an enormous amount of time and energy, and we encourage you to take advantage of the resources at your disposal to create more efficiency and positive results.
Have questions about getting your resume to the right people? Leave us a comment below or call 888.NNP.JOBS.
